The Demise of Locally Owned Hardware Stores?

[Wagtail]

Our local Mitre 10 store just closed recently and whilst it was convenient, we had a choice of another one who had better prices on many items.
I always felt that the franchise owner was greedy and his prices reflected that.
REASONS given for closure. His lease expired and the building owner refused to negotiate a new lease. (was there bad blood?) He could not find a suitable position to re-locate.

It was announced last week on TV that a new Bunnings store is to commence operating soon so maybe there are more underlying reasons. The Mitre 10 store would not have survived with his pricing once Bunnings started operating.
Me? I am happy that I don't have to drive 35 klm to a Bunnings store in future. 12 klm suits me.

Mitre 10 is the only hardware/lumber store in town (and practically the entire Shire) and they're great. They know me by name, will assist with a project and I receive a 10% 'local' discount. Bunnings is a 2hr drive away, but when I'm there in the big-smoke, I can't help myself but go in for "just a look".

 

[downsizingnow48]

My local Ace hardware is nearby. When you walk in the store there is at least one and often three people who say hello and ask what you need. And then take you where you need to go. They know exactly what they have and where it is and will get you in and out of the store rapidly. I have never waited for more than one person ahead of me to check out.

It is stocked OK, not great. I always go there when I need something same day.

If I can wait, or I need something they do not stock, I order from either McMaster Carr or Amazon. It is very convenient to have materials and hardware delivered right to the door. Oftentimes the cost including shipping is less than local suppliers can offer. And it is better than chasing stuff down yourself. Waiting 1-3 days is not a problem for me normally.

I have a bunch of specialty suppliers as well.

There is an excellent old school lumber yard about 30 minutes away, and an outstanding cabinet grade plywood and hardwood supplier about the same distance, and a super helpful Benjamin Moore store in the same area. Right next to the Benjamin Moore store is a huge tile and stone supplier. Both the Benjamin Moore store and the tile store are about 95% commercial but will give trade discounts to me because I don't look like a homeowner, I know what I want, and don't bog them down with questions. For nursery, there is a wonderful old school nursery, been there for decades, they have high quality planting materials and very wide range too. For gravel and topsoil there is a commercial supplier off of Interstate 5 that is easy to work with and has top quality material. I have found a good place to buy new steel, a good place to buy scrap steel, and a good place to buy bulk hardware sold by the pound.

It took a while after moving here from Virginia, to figure out all these best-source local suppliers.

I am going through this in some detail to explain that I have put together a whole network of specialty suppliers, rather than walk into the box stores. I really have come to thoroughly dislike the one-stop box stores. I don't like the quality of their materials, the price of their hardware, or the attitude of their staff.

The one place where they have a big advantage, at least here, is in the range and prices of household appliances they offer.

I do not think the local hardware and specialty building supply stores I go to are being competed out of existence by the box stores and Amazon. They all offer continuing value.

 

[ultrarunner]

Pat... that is quite a network you have and similar to what I had here in the SF East Bay at one time...

 

[2458n]

Needed something for my current project. Ace has the best selection of nuts,bolts ,screws,and other like items. Problem is they can not make a living off my purchase of 18 1/4 20 bolts. Paid 6.49 for a 1/4 inch drill-knowing I had one at the shop ,but where.

 

[Gunny]

We've got one mom and pop hardware store in town, the other is a franchise store. Both stock a great variety, both have one or two employees that pretty much know what you need and if they have it, and even where it's located.
The only problem is when you go to the store and those one or two employees are off or engaged with another customer, because then you have to deal with the other employees who are just there to get a paycheck.


The mom and pop place even keeps a stove pipe crimper on hand, and that's a real rarity these days

 

[timster2]

My local hardware store always seemed to have all the small stuff I would need for a quick project. The HD and Lowes was always a pain to go to park and walk for ten minutes to find what you need. I could be to the local and home by the time I drove to HD. If I figured the time, aggravation and cost to drive to HD the local hardware store was a bargain even if the item "cost" more. The local hardware store also provided jobs for the local college students. Both of my kids had jobs there and the owner was always accommodating of their schedules, exams and the like. When summer came along he kept all his students working.

The kids would always tell me of the interesting things that they would deliver from the little store. Thousands of pounds of plaster to a small business because he would supply the labor to bring it inside and stack it where the customer wanted it. He dealt in service as well as hardware. On day on a trip to the store I noticed galvanized water troughs, keep in mind this is in New York City, when I asked him what he was doing with the water troughs he told me they were for a food vendor to use for chilling water and drinks for a concert at the stadium. He could and would order just about anything you needed from kitchen cabinets to tubs and shower units, just ask and he would find them for you and deliver it to your door. He dealt with a lot of the local contractors, they would call, order and he would deliver to the jobsite.

 

[EddieWalker]

Hey Eddie... Do you remember Foothill Ace Hardware?

This is the one that was an entire city block near Eastmont

I don't think so. We lived over by Chabot College and used to go to a hardware store over by Toys R Us near the airport. I forgot what it was called. We had rental houses on D st that we where always working on. Standard Brands Paint was a regular stop for us, and I kind of remember going to a few hardware stores in the Foothill area, but they are not clear memories. I remember going downstairs into a basement area and the wooden bins stuff was stored in, but that's about it. I kind of think the big Mervyns Headquarters building used to be something like either a lumber yard, or a department store. Seems like when I was a kid, all those places where so far apart and it took forever to get there.

 

[Turbys_1700]

About 12 years ago a local businessman opened up a hardware store that also has a grocery and convenience store. It is 60K total feet. He carries a complete line of hardware including plumbing and electrical, paint, etc. He is in with ACE. Very convenient for me and his prices are competitive. His business has been excellent and he has quite a few folks working for him. It has been a great asset to the community.

I work in Hickory and have access to Lowes and Home Depot. To be honest with you in the hardware line I can find things much quicker and faster at the local Bufalo Shoals than at Lowes and would rather shop there.

 

[3930dave]

One thing that I do not like about some bigbox stores here - they have split up Electrical and Plumbing, putting them in widely separated areas.

Yeah, I know why they are doing it (to make you wander around the store, to find these Must Fix Now items), but I do find it irritating, esp. when I am in a hurry.

Rgds, D.

 

[RobS]

Different experience for me: Our local Ace Hardware had a fire last fall and was closed all winter. They just re-opened and I'm so glad. We have the 3 big name box stores not far but for nuts/bolts etc, Ace is the Place!